Nigerian police officers sentenced to death - Ezekiel Achejene and Emmanuel Baba have been sentenced to death for murdering two people in Nigeria. The former policemen were convicted for murdering two of the Apo Six. The Apo Six consisted of five men and a woman. Four of those people were killed by police at a checkpoint while two others were taken to a police station. All six of their bodies were found together with weapons that had been planted by the police. Nigerian judge Ishaq Bello said the two officers “have no regard for the sanctity of human lives.”

Nigeria’s President returns to office After being ill for numerous weeks Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to office. Buhari revealed he had never been “so sick.” Buhari acknowledged that he is “feeling much better now” and he will continue check ups with doctors. Some Nigerians questioned Buhari’s health and his absence. Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was left in charge during Buhari’s illness.

Asia

Judges uphold decision for Park’s impeachment-South Korean judges unanimously upheld the decision to impeach South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Park has lost her presidential immunity and faces potential criminal charges. Protests outside the court were held and authorities said at least two people died. The court ruling now requires the country to hold an election within 60 days. Park did not release a statement and her office said she would not be leaving the Blue House, the home to South Korean presidents.

Thirty-one convicted for violent protest in India - India convicted 31 workers for their involvement in violent protests that took place at the car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki’s main plant near Delhi. The protests were believed to have occurred due to a conflict over wages and contracts. There were at least 80 people injured during the protest and a senior manager was beaten to death. Seven of the 31 workers were found guilty for culpable homicide.

Europe

Volkswagen pleads guilty - The German carmaker, Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, obstruction of justice and entry of goods by false statement. Volkswagen general counsel, Manfred Doess, told a Detroit court the crimes took place in Germany and the United States. The company admitted to placing illegal software in its vehicles in order to pass emissions tests for a period of six years.

Thousands died in Turkey - The UN has released a new report on Turkish government operations in Kurdish. The report alleged that nearly 2,000 people were killed in 18 months of fighting. The fighting took place after the ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party ended in July 2015. The report also alleged that between 350,000 and 500,000 people were displaced by the fighting. Turkey’s foreign ministry said the report was “based on false information and far from professional.”

Latin America

Mexico’s Foreign Secretary meets with U.S. State Department officials Spokesman Mark Toner told the media that senior White House aides met with Mexican Foreign Secretary, Luis Videgaray without the State Department’s knowledge. Videgaray recently met with President Trump’s senior advisor, Jared Kushner, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and National Advisor, H.R. McMaster. The meeting focused on concerns of the Trump administration regarding separating migrant children from their parents at the border. There has been speculation that the State Department has not been a part of business involving foreign policy.

Fire in Guatemala kills over 30 people Guatemalan - President Jimmy Morales declared that Guatemala is in official mourning after a children’s care home caught fire. The fire killed 31 teenage girls and 40 people suffered from second and third degree burns. Authorities said DNA tests would have to be conducted on some of the victims in order to identify their bodies. Morales’ office said an investigation to determine the cause has been launched.

United States

Judges sent to immigration detention centers - In order to enforce the law on illegal immigration the U.S. Department of Justice will deploy 50 judges to immigration detention centers. The additional judges will speed up the process of determining if an individual is granted asylum, or if the individual will be deported. The immigration detention centers has a small number of judges working there. There is a backlog of over a half a million cases pending.

Undocumented immigrant released After being detained by U.S. immigration agents, Daniela Vargas will be released. Vargas was recently detained after speaking out against ICE raids. Vargas’ attorney, Nathan Elmore said he is concerned that the deportation order against Vargas has not been rescinded. Vargas qualified for a temporary pardon from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. However, the law no longer protects Vargas because her DACA status expired in November.